Rockets' path to maximizing their roster through trade is crystal clear

The Houston Rockets, so far this season, have been one of the most formidable teams in the NBA, ranking second in offensive rating, third in defensive rating and currently standing at the third seed in the Western Conference with a 13-5 record.

Yet, with any team looking to contend for a championship, the roster must be honed throughout the course of the season in order to best maximize the talent available, and, for the Rockets, their necessary change is crystal clear. They must consolidate their role players in order to add additional perimeter shooting.

Houston is second to last in the NBA in 3-pointers attempted per game, second to only the lowly Sacramento Kings, and, although they still await the return to action of Dorian Finney-Smith, this is the need they must fill as the season wears on.

The Rockets do not need a star, but they must still make a trade this season

To this point, their combination of Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun as their star scorers has worked excellently, with each player utilizing the other's gravity to create opportunities for themselves in isolation.

Yet, as the season continues, some of the hot perimeter shooting they saw to start the year, buoyed by their ability to grab open rebounds and kick out to their shooters for open looks, has started to wane.

Josh Okogie is shooting just 24% from 3-point range over his last 10 games. Durant is shooting 38.3%, well below his 43% mark from last season. Tari Eason, who got out to a hot shooting start, is still has no definite timeline for his return.

Part of what makes this Houston team so dangerous is their depth. They have a formidable center trio in Sengun, Steven Adams and Clint Capela, and their frontcourt, once Finney-Smith returns, is stacked as well. The Rockets, frankly, have a surplus of talent who can stack the paint and grab rebounds.

That is the team's identity, and it's important not to sacrifice that. Yet, if this team wants to contend for a championship, parting with one or more of these role players in order to add a knockdown 3-point shooter could be the right move.

It remains to be seen what names will shake out into the rumor mill as the season wears on, but it is certain that a relatively minor move could be what's best for this Houston team as they attempt to hone their roster.